He received a standing ovation after being substituted in his final home appearance at the weekend.

At Birmingham and during my early days at Blackburn I was unstoppable

Robbie Savage

"The fans have been tremendous - 95% of them," Savage commented. "I think there's 5% at every club who still wouldn't have taken to me, but the fans here have been absolutely magnificent and I can't thank them enough.

"I just wish the Derby fans could have seen me when I was at my peak, when I was 27 or 28. I'll be honest with you at Birmingham and during my early days at Blackburn I was unstoppable.

"I've done well for Derby but they didn't see me at my best."

Savage, who will continue a career in the media after retirement, went on to further reflect on his time at Pride Park.

"It's been great fun, its been a rollercoaster but that's it - I wont be playing football on this ground [Pride Park] ever again, unless its in a celebrity XI with Robbie Williams.

"I hope I'm playing next week - it's my last ever game. I've had boots made with '631' on, so I hope I'm in the side."